Swimming device



1,615,954 Feb. 1,192' 7. QBNICHOLS SWIMMING DEVICE Fil'ed March 8, 19263 F515 l v 2 ll V5 1 jwuentoz G-cor e 5397071015 re. W

Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

GEORGE B. NICHOLS, F AKRON, OHIO.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

Application filed March. 8, 1926.

This invention relates to swimming de vices and has particular referenceto new and novel improvements in inflatable floats adapted for use insustaining the wearer in the water.

Objects of the invention are to provide a float, of simple, durableconstruction, which may be manufactured at a low cost and which whenworn will sustain a-bather in the water'in a proper swimming position.

A further object is to provide a float which will be of light weight andwhich when not in use may be folded to occupy a minimum of :spacewhereby it maybe formed in a compact bundle which may be convenientlycarried.

Another object is "to provide a float of the class above indicated whichmay be quickly and conveniently secured to the body of a bather and usedwithoutrestraining the free movement of the arms and legs.

A particular object of is to provide a float which will present arelatively sharp, straight edge to the path of travel and which whenworn by a swimmer will offer a n1inimum amount of resistance to thewater and will not materially retard the swimmers progress.

The above objects are accomplished and additional ends are attained bythe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterdescribed and illus trated in the accompanying drawing in which I haveshown a. preferred form of the invention, it being understood that theinvention is capable of various adaptations and that changes andmodifications may be made or resort had to substitutions which comewithin the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings like numerals of reference are used to denote like partsas the same may appear in any of the several views and in which Figure 1is a rear elevational view of a float construction in accordance withthis invention, showing the same in an inflated condition.

Figure 2 is a central. longitudinally sectional view taken as indicatedby the lines 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken as indicated by the lines 33 ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view showing a tube as it is formedpreparator' to Serial No. 93,011.

manufacturing a float constructed in accordance with this invention.

Proceeding now to a detailed description of the invention with reference'to the particular adaptation thereof disclosed in the drawing, thenumeral 6 ,is used to denote the main body of the float which is in theform of a tube preferably composed of elastic rubber, but which may beformed of any suitable material. The tube '6 is normally cylindrical andthe wall thereof is thickened along one side thereof. The thickenedportion 7 extends around approximately one half of the tube. The tube isclosed at each end by flattening the tube along each edge of thethickened portion 7 and cementing, vulcanizing or otherwise securing theopposite sides of the wall togetherto 'form afla-t end portion 8 on theupper endof the tube and a like flat end portion 9,011 the lower endthereof.

It will thus be seen that eachend portion 8 and 9 is in the form ofaflat substantially rectangular portion of rubber which is substantiallythicker than either the forward or rear portion of the tube '6. Whilethe tube is preferably composed of elastic rubher, the double thicknessof the end por tions 8 and '9 forms relatively :stiff fins ,at

each end of the body 6. The said fins are positioned in the same planewhich extends longitudinally through said tube. As the front wall of thetube is substantially thicker than the rear wall thereof, the rear wallwill be more elastic and will bulge outwardly while the forward wallwill remain relatively flat. The body will be enlarged at a point midwaybet-ween the end portions 8 and 9, the wall converging to said'flat endportions. The opposite sides of the wall of the cavity meet in astraight line as at 14 at each end of the tube.

The numeral 10 denotes a belt which is composed of a strip of elasticrubber. The end portions of the strip 10 are positioned in abuttingrelation flat against the rear face of the lower flattened portion 8 andis cemented or vulcanized thereto. The strip 10 thus forms an endlessbelt adapted to be positioned around the waist of the wearer. As shownin the drawings the belt 10 is vulcanized to the flattened portion 8,but it may otherwise be suitably secured thereto. The numerals 11 and 12denote straps, one end of each strap is secured to the forward face ofthe flattened portion 9, at the corner thereof so as to project upwardlytherefrom. Each strap 11 and 12 has its opposite ends secured flatagainst the opposite corner portion as shown in the drawing and iscemented or vulcanized thereto, but it is understood that said strapsmay be otherwise suitably secured thereto.

The numeral 15 denotes an inflation stem which may be of ordinary orimproved construction and which is secured in the wall of the tube 6 soas to project rearwardly therefrom at a point intermediate its length.The inflation stem 15 is provided with a suitable valve whereby the tubemay be inflated and retained in an inflated condition.

In use, the tube 6 is placed in a vertical position on the back of thewearer and the arms are positioned through the loops 11 and 12. The belt12 is positioned about the waist of the wearer thereby securing thefloat in a Vertical position on the back of the wearer.

It will be seen that in this position, the

relatively stiff sharp fin 9 is presented to the path of travel and thetapering forward and rearward position of the wall of the tube 6 forms astreamline body which will offer a minimum amount of resistance to thewater whereby the progress of a wearer when swimming through the waterwill not be impeded.

Having thus illustrated my invention and described the same in detail,what I claim 5 as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. Aninflatable float comprising a normally cylindrical elastic body, arelatively stiff elastic fin projecting from each end thereof, said finsformed by flattening the tube at each end thereof and securing theopposite walls together, a belt strap secured to one of said fins andarm straps secured to the other fin.

2. In a swimmers float, a flexible hollow body provided overapproximately half its extent with a longitudinally extending thickenedportion, the body being foldedfiat at each end thereof and the oppositesides of the wall joined to form outwardly projecting diametricallyarranged fiat flexible fins.

3. In a swimmers float, an elastic tube provided over approximately halfits extent with a longitudinally extending thickened portion, the tubebeing folded flat at each end thereof and the opposite sides of the walljoined to form outwardly projecting diametrically arranged flat flexiblefins and means secured to said fins to fasten the float to the body.

a. In a swimmers float, a flexible hollow body provided overapproximately half its extent with a longitudinally extending thickenedportion, the body being folded flat at each end thereof and the oppositesides of the wall oined thereby forming an.

outwardly projecting diametrically-arranged flat flexible fin projectingfrom each end of the body, endless elastic straps secured to each cornerof the upper fin and an endless elastic belt secured to the lower fin,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE B. NICHOLS.

